Pennington County crime statistics released for the second quarter

According to a press release, the workload of MPs has increased by about 9% – about 1,000 additional cases compared to the second quarter of 2023.

The number of arrests, vehicle stops and tickets increased, and the number of accidents decreased by 15%. The number of drunk driving arrests decreased by 23% in the quarter, but is 3% higher than the annual average.

“We continue to encourage our patrol officers to be proactive and involved in the community. Patrol officers are more visible in the communities where they provide greater safety in Pennington County,” said Patrol Officer Kraig Wood.

The number of sexual assaults has decreased from 17 to nine. According to the press release, the number of sexual assaults remains relatively constant compared to the previous year.

There is a decline in thefts from motor vehicles: in 2023 there were 19 cases, in 2024 nine cases were reported.

“We are pleased to see a decline in auto thefts. We are grateful that people are doing their part by securing their property and vehicles. We are also investing resources into investigating these crimes and punishing those responsible,” said Dustin Morrison, chief of the Investigations Division.

The crime rate is not only impacting police, but also courtrooms. Pennington County Prosecutor Lara Roetzel said that while felony cases are down slightly from the same period last year, misdemeanor cases are up significantly.

In 2023, the Pennington County District Attorney's Office recorded 1,513 felony cases and 3,770 misdemeanor cases. In 2024, there were 1,344 felony cases and 4,319 misdemeanor cases.

Roetzel said there were more murders in 2024 than in the same period in 2023. Roetzel reiterated the sheriff's office's findings regarding the increase in burglaries.

The most common crime is possession of a controlled substance. The second most common is aggravated assault, including domestic violence. The third most common is burglary, with 80 cases recorded so far this year.

However, Roetzel said there is a common denominator in most of these crimes: drug abuse.

“Many of the crimes we handle are directly related to substance abuse. Drug and alcohol use often play a significant role in escalating situations that result in serious assault, burglary or other crimes. The frequency of these cases reflects the broader impact that substance abuse has on the safety of our community,” Roetzel said.

Fighting crime is a community effort, said Roetzel. From the arrest to the courtroom, everyone does their part to keep the streets safe.

“When our law enforcement partners fight crime, it is our job to ensure that their efforts result in thorough prosecutions and ultimately accountability. This collaboration is critical because it ensures that offenders are not only arrested, but held accountable for their actions. This helps prevent repeat offenses and contributes to the overall safety of our community,” Roetzel said.

Roetzel said the courtroom's strong ties to law enforcement are not often seen in other communities and are somewhat unique to the Rapid City area. By sharing resources and responsibilities, Roetzel said they have the advantage of looking at the “bigger picture” when it comes to public safety.

“By working together, we can leverage our collective strengths to address the challenges head-on and make our county a safer place for everyone,” Roetzel said.